"I would like to go out and rush for over 1,000 yards," Lowman said. "But mostly just going to the playoffs and improving as a team are my goals."

Compared to last season, the former leading rusher is part of a small senior class of nine. Lowman has developed respect of third-year Guymon head coach David Heath.

"I think he's improved our team a lot," Lowman said of Heath. "We had some bad seasons before he came and turned the program around. He makes us a lot more committed."

So when Lowman was told about the position change last spring by Heath, the player didn't question it.

"I played the position in Kids Inc. ball," Lowman said on his previous quarterbacking experience. "I'll still have to prove myself."

Besides off-season workouts, the 5-foot-8, 188-pound Lowman was a construction worker this summer, working in heat conditions of more than 100 degrees and occasionally using the all-time unofficial arm developer, the jackhammer.

"It seems like I'm throwing stronger," Lowman said on the off-field effects of his body. "Actually, this year I've gotten a lot stronger. I improved my bench press to 260."

Lowman is confident in the offensive line, which had to replace three starters.

And the receiving crew?

"They're little guys," Lowman said. "Most of them are pretty young."

Lowman and his teammates have settled on the goal of winning six games this season.

Under the direction of Heath, improvement never seems out of reach for the team.

"He just tells us to give it 100 percent and prove to everybody that Guymon can play football," Heath said.